london —
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan, have decided to move their children’s school just days into the new term due to safety concerns.
After the news was first reported by HELLO!, a spokesperson for the couple said in a statement to CNN on Monday: “The decision to transfer the children was made after discussions with the family’s security team about the practicalities of the current arrangements.” magazine.
“The parents remain deeply grateful for the love, care and effort shown to their family by all teachers and staff. This decision should in no way be interpreted as a reflection on the school or the exceptional care the children received there,” the statement added.
The move comes after British media reported early on Monday that Meghan had been granted a government-backed security review for the first time since leaving royal duties.
The couple returned to the UK in late August after living in Montecito, California for six years. CNN previously reported that the couple’s children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, had already enrolled in British schools for the 2026-2027 school year before their arrival.
The Telegraph reports that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will undergo a formal risk assessment shortly after their return to the UK.
The couple has been asked to provide authorities with as much detail as possible about their new routine, including trips to school events and other trips, addresses they regularly visit and routes they take. That information, along with any other evidence deemed relevant, will be used to assess changes in the level of threat facing Home Office agencies, the Telegraph reported.
Get an early glimpse of Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan as they return to the UK
Prince Harry has been in a long-running battle with the Home Office since the department decided in February 2020 that he would not be given the “same level” of protection while in the country. He challenged this decision in court, but lost in a February 2024 ruling.
In May 2023, Prince Harry lost another legal challenge seeking his right to pay for police protection while in the UK. The ruling came after the Home Office argued it was inappropriate for wealthy individuals to purchase security from professional police officers.
However, despite stepping back from royal duties, the duke and his family claim they are still at risk and continue to seek police protection.
Prince Harry has been vocal about the safety of his family in the past, often comparing the treatment of his wife to that of his mother, Princess Diana. The late Princess of Wales died in 1997 from internal injuries sustained in a high-speed car accident in Paris.
Earlier this year, Prince Harry returned to London to pursue a separate lawsuit against a tabloid publisher and attend several official engagements, but Meghan and her children did not accompany him, citing safety concerns.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
